Neuroimaging Generally Nondiagnostic in Children, Adolescents with Sports-related Concussion

Researchers from the Canada North Concussion Network in Manitoba examined neuroimaging studies obtained in children and adolescents with sports-related concussions and found that the images appeared normal in 78 percent of cases. Detailed findings of this study are reported, published online ahead of print, in the Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics. Expert opinion among physicians specializing in sports-related concussion (SRC) holds that computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance images (MRIs) are not that useful in diagnosing SRCs. Until now, however, no study had been performed to verify this opinion. The authors examined medical records and neuroimaging findings in 151 children and adolescents who had sustained SRCs during competitive sports activities. The SRCs were all diagnosed and followed up by a single neurosurgeon specializing in concussion spectrum disorders at a multidisciplinary concussion program. Thirty-six patients underwent neuroimaging. Abnormal CT and/or MRI findings were only found in eight (22%) of the 36 patients who underwent neuroimaging. Abnormal findings were found on CT scans in five patients and on MRIs in four patients. “This study provides preliminary evidence that neuroimaging findings are normal in a significant proportion of pediatric sports-related concussion patients, but not every patient, and that neuroimaging can be helpful in informing clinical and return-to-play decision making in selected patients presenting with neurological symptoms following sports-related head injury,” said the lead author, continuing, “Methodologically, this study does not tell us which patients are more likely to demonstrate traumatic abnormalities on clinical neuroimaging.” To learn more about the study, click here.